Definition Definition

rat - Meaning and Examples

Meaning of 'rat' (Webster Dictionary)

1 . Rat [ n.]
- One of several species of small rodents of the genus Mus and allied genera, larger than mice, that infest houses, stores, and ships, especially the Norway, or brown, rat (M. decumanus), the black rat (M. rattus), and the roof rat (M. Alexandrinus). These were introduced into America from the Old World.
- A round and tapering mass of hair, or similar material, used by women to support the puffs and rolls of their natural hair.
- One who deserts his party or associates; hence, in the trades, one who works for lower wages than those prescribed by a trades union.
2 . Rat [ v. i.]
- In English politics, to desert one's party from interested motives; to forsake one's associates for one's own advantage; in the trades, to work for less wages, or on other conditions, than those established by a trades union.
- To catch or kill rats.

Meaning of 'rat' (Princeton's WordNet)

1 . rat [ n]
Meaning (1):
- a person who is deemed to be despicable or contemptible
Example in sentence:
  • kill the rat;
  • only a rotter would do that;
  • the British call a contemptible person a `git';
  • throw the bum out;
  • you cowardly little pukes!
2 . rat [ v]
Meaning (2):
- give away information about somebody
Example in sentence:
  • He told on his classmate who had cheated on the exam